This year is going to me my first time deer hunting.. I will be bow and rifle hunting from tree stand and popup blind... I will be hunting public land.. What calls do yall use?

None other than corn...I like using sents more than calls

Oh and don't use corn on public lol

I'd be hesitant to use any sort of grunts or antler rattling unless I was sure that there was a healthy population of mature bucks in the area.

In my experience, if there's not, you won't receive much response except by youngsters. If there is, then you stand decent chances of pulling something in. If you're rattling you need to be prepared to move frequently and really hunt the wind.

Rattling can work like LP said with the right herd. It can also hurt you more than help you at the wrong time of the year and with the wrong age class bucks. If you do rattle be prepared for fast action, if a buck shows up, you'll usually only have a few seconds to decide if he's what you want. Be sure you're able to age a buck and determine if he's legal in AR counties quickly.


First year on public I'd probably just scout hard for a well traveled deer trail, then get the wind right and just sit it out.

Plus rattling and calling may get you shot on public land.

Id put out some acorn rage that works well for me of course ive never hinted on public land but im sure those deer here calls all the time and would probably be more responsive to a neccesity like food and a water source.

On public land, you really need to do lots of scouting. Set up on trails and oak trees that are producing acorns. Good luck.

Thanks guys

TRT!

On public land get as far away from the road as you can and stay there all day on opening day.

Fixed it

Hunt the rut and stay out all day.

I agree with SplitTime. I assume that you're probably going to be hunting east Texas. Don't worry about corn or any other attractant. You need to find heavily used trails leading to, or from acorn producing trees. Whiteoak bottoms. Also, Honeysuckle areas. Get away from main roads, if possible.

This! The average public hunter will walk in a short distance and won't stay all day. Don't be on the edge of the roads where they will disturb your hunting. Find an area with acorns, scout out the trails and try to find multiple areas where you can hunt the wind, be patient, wait em out, and pray for a stroke of luck

9-1-1 i get lost a lot have used a turkey call few times during archery for deer

Forgot that one...buy a GPS unit, don't use flagging or reflective buttons. I mean you can, if you want others to walk up on the areas you've worked hard to scout